A method for processing media content is provided. The method includes sending a control command to a media renderer in a home area network, where the control command is used to instruct the media renderer to request authentication with an authentication server; determining a content list, where the content list includes media content items that can be played by media renderers authenticated; displaying the content list to a user; and sending, according to target media content that the user selects to play from the content list and a target media renderer that the user selects for playing the target media content, a uniform resource identifier of the target media content to the target media renderer, so that the target media renderer acquires and plays the target media content. As such, media content selected by a user can be played by an authenticated media renderer.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for processing media content, comprising: acquiring identity information of media renderers authenticated by an authentication server and a second content list comprising all or a part of media content items on a media server; acquiring, according to the identity information, capability information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; generating a first content list, according to the capability information and the second content list, by matching the capability information of the media renderers to the media content items in the second content list, wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; displaying the first content list to a user, wherein the first content list is displayed to the user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and effective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have the online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renderers; and sending, according to target media content that the user selects to play from the first content list and a target media renderer that the user selects for playing the target media content, a uniform resource identifier of the target media content to the target media renderer such that the target media renderer acquires and plays the target media content.
A method for playing media involves managing authenticated media renderers and content lists. First, it gets the IDs of media renderers authorized by an authentication server, along with a list of available media content from a media server. It then obtains the capabilities (e.g., supported formats) of these authorized renderers. A filtered content list is created, showing only media that can be played by the authorized renderers. This list is displayed to the user in an interface that shows available content, and which renderers are capable of playing each item. Crucially, the list shows available content items, each with a listing of media renderers that are online, authorized and have the capability to play that particular item. If the user selects a media item and a renderer, the system sends the content's network location (URI) to the selected renderer, so that it can fetch and play the media.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein generating the first content list comprises: sending a first list request to a media server; and receiving the first content list that is sent by the media server according to the first list request, wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by at least one media renderer among all the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Building on the previous media playback method, the creation of the filtered content list (showing playable content) is done by sending a request to the media server. The server then responds with a list of media content that *any* of the authenticated media renderers are capable of playing. This simplifies the content filtering process by offloading it to the media server, but it requires the media server to be aware of the capabilities of all authorized renderers. The control point receives this list and displays it to the user.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein generating the first content list comprises: sending a second list request to a media server according to the identity information, wherein the second list request comprises identity information of specified media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; and receiving the first content list that is sent by the media server according to the second list request, wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by at least one media renderer among the specified media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Expanding on the media playback method, generating the filtered content list (showing playable content) involves sending a request to the media server *including* the IDs of *specific* authorized media renderers. The media server then responds with a list of media that *at least one* of those specified renderers can play. This approach allows for more targeted content filtering, where the control point can request content suitable for a particular subset of renderers. This is in contrast to getting a list playable by *any* renderer as in the previous claim.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server comprises: sending an identification request to the media server; and receiving an identification reply that is sent by the media server according to the identification request, wherein the identification reply comprises the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
In the media playback method, getting the IDs of authorized media renderers involves sending a request to the media server. The media server replies with a list containing the identity information of all media renderers that have been authenticated. This allows the control point to discover which renderers are currently authorized to access media content. This is a pull model where the control point requests information from the media server.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server comprises: sending a status request to the media renderers in the home area network; receiving authentication status information that is sent by the media renderers in the home area network according to the status request; determining, according to the authentication status information, the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server, in the home area network; and acquiring the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
In the media playback method, getting the IDs of authorized renderers involves sending a general status request to *all* media renderers on the local network. Each renderer responds with its authentication status. Based on these responses, the control point determines which renderers are authorized and retrieves their identity information. This is a push model where the control point proactively queries all renderers, rather than requesting information from the media server.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising sending a control command to a media renderer in a home area network, wherein the control command is used to instruct the media renderer in the home area network to request authentication with the authentication server.
Further to the original media playback method, a control command is sent to a media renderer, instructing it to request authentication from the authentication server. This allows the control point to initiate the authentication process for a renderer, possibly as a prerequisite to playing protected content. It provides a way to trigger authentication on demand.
7. A method for processing media content, comprising: acquiring identity information and capability information of media renderers authenticated by an authentication server; receiving a list request sent by a control point; generating a content list according to the list request, the identity information, the capability information of the media renderers, and media content items on a media server by matching the capability information of the media renderers to the media content items on the media server, wherein the content list comprises media content items that can be played by the media renderers; and sending the content list to the control point such that media content selected by a user can be played by the media renderers, wherein the content list is displayed to the user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and effective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renderers.
A method for a media server to process media content involves first obtaining identity and capability information of authenticated media renderers. It then receives a content list request from a control point. Based on this request, the server generates a content list by matching the media renderers' capabilities to the available media content. The resulting list, containing media playable by those renderers, is sent back to the control point for display to the user. The user interface at the control point is divided into sections, one displaying media items along with the effective media renderers that are online, capable and authorized to play each item. The number of effective renderers displayed varies between media items.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises: receiving an identification request sent by the control point; and sending an identification reply to the control point according to the identification request, wherein the identification reply comprises the identity information of the media renderers.
Extending the previous media server method, the server also receives an identification request from the control point. In response, it sends an identification reply that includes the identity information of the media renderers. This allows the control point to discover the available renderers.
9. A method for processing media content, comprising: receiving a control command sent by a control point in a home area network, wherein the control command is used to instruct to request authentication with an authentication server; sending an authentication request to the authentication server according to the control command; receiving a token that is sent by the authentication server according to the authentication request, wherein the token comprises a status of authentication; receiving a uniform resource identifier, sent by the control point, of target media content, wherein the target media content is selected from a content list that is displayed to a user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and elective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have the online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renders; acquiring the target media content from a media server according to the token acquired from the authentication server and the uniform resource identifier; and playing the target media content.
A method for a media renderer to process media content starts with receiving a control command from a control point, instructing it to request authentication. The renderer then sends an authentication request to the authentication server and receives a token indicating its authentication status. After this, the renderer receives the network location (URI) of the target media content from the control point. The media is selected by the user from a content list. The user interface at the control point is divided into sections, one displaying media items along with the effective media renderers that are online, capable and authorized to play each item. The number of effective renderers displayed varies between media items. Using the authentication token, the media renderer fetches the target content from the media server and begins playback.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises: receiving a status request that is sent by the control point and used to request an authentication status of a media renderer; and sending authentication status information to the control point according to the status request such that the control point determines, according to the authentication status information, a media renderer authenticated by the authentication server, in the home area network.
Expanding on the media renderer's method, it also handles status requests from the control point. The control point requests the authentication status of the media renderer. The media renderer then sends its authentication status back to the control point. This lets the control point know if the renderer is still authenticated, without having to request re-authentication.
11. A control point, comprising: a processor configured to: acquire identity information of media renderers authenticated by an authentication server and a second content list that comprises all or a part of media content items on a media server; acquire, according to the identity information, capability information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; and generate the first content list according to the capability information and the second content list by matching the capability information of the media renderers to the media content items in the second content list, wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; a display configured to display the first content list to a user, wherein the first content list is displayed to the user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and effective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have the online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renderers; and a transmitter configured to send, according to target media content that the user selects to play from the first content list displayed by a target media renderer that the user selects for playing the target media content, a uniform resource identifier of the target media content to the target media renderer such that the target media renderer acquires and plays the target media content.
A "control point" device manages media playback by acquiring identities and capabilities of authenticated media renderers, and content from a media server. It generates a content list showing media playable by authorized renderers. This list is displayed to a user in an interface that shows available content, and which renderers are capable of playing each item. Crucially, the list shows available content items, each with a listing of media renderers that are online, authorized and have the capability to play that particular item. If the user selects a media item and a renderer, the control point sends the content's network address (URI) to the selected renderer, so that it can fetch and play the media.
12. The control point according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is configured to send a first list request to a media server, wherein the control point further comprises a receiver configured to receive the first content list that is sent by the media server according to the first list request, and wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by at least one media renderer among all the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Building on the previous control point device, the control point sends a request to the media server, requesting a list of media content that *any* of the authenticated media renderers can play. The control point receives this list and uses it as its filtered content list to be displayed to the user.
13. The control point according to claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to acquire identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server, wherein the transmitter is further configured to send a second list request to a media server according to the identity information, wherein the second list request comprises identity information of specified media renderers authenticated by the authentication server, wherein the control point further comprises a receiver configured to receive the first content list that is sent by the media server according to the second list request, and wherein the first content list comprises media content items that can be played by at least one media renderer among the specified media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Expanding on the control point device, the control point acquires the identity information of authenticated media renderers. The control point then sends a request to the media server *including* the IDs of *specific* authorized renderers. The media server responds with a list of media that *at least one* of those specified renderers can play. The control point receives this list and uses it as its filtered content list to be displayed to the user.
14. The control point according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to send an identification request to the media server, wherein the control point further comprises a receiver configured to receive an identification reply that is sent by the media server according to the identification request, and wherein the identification reply comprises the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Building on the previous control point device, the control point sends an identification request to the media server. The control point then receives an identification reply from the media server with the identity information of all authenticated media renderers.
15. The control point according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to send a status request to the media renderers in the home area network, wherein the control point further comprises a receiver configured to receive authentication status information that is sent by the media renderers in the home area network according to the status request, and wherein the processor is further configured to: determine, according to the authentication status information, the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server, in the home area network; and acquire the identity information of the media renderers authenticated by the authentication server.
Further to the previous control point device description, the control point sends a status request to *all* media renderers on the local network. It then receives the authentication status from the renderers. Based on these responses, the control point determines which renderers are authorized and retrieves their identity information.
16. The control point according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to send a control command to a media renderer in a home area network, wherein the control command is used to instruct the media renderer in the home area network to request authentication with the authentication server.
In addition to the previous control point device, the control point can send a command to a media renderer, instructing it to request authentication from the authentication server. This allows the control point to initiate the authentication process for a renderer.
17. A media server, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon; and a computer processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium and configured to execute the instructions to: acquire identity information and capability information of media renderers authenticated by an authentication server; receive a list request sent by a control point, wherein the computer processor is configured to generate a content list according to the list request, the identity information and the capability information of the media renderers, and media content items on the media server by matching the capability information of the media renderers to the media content items on the media server, wherein the content list comprises media content items that can be played by the media renderers, wherein the content list is displayed to a user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and effective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have the online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renderers; and send the content list to the control point such that media content selected by the user can be played by the media renderers.
A media server includes instructions to get the identities and capabilities of authenticated media renderers. Upon receiving a content list request from a control point, it generates a content list by matching media renderers' capabilities to available content. The resulting list, containing media playable by those renderers, is sent back to the control point for display. The user interface at the control point is divided into sections, one displaying media items along with the effective media renderers that are online, capable and authorized to play each item. The number of effective renderers displayed varies between media items.
18. The media server according to claim 17 , wherein the computer processor is further configured to execute the instructions to: receive an identification request sent by the control point; and send an identification reply to the control point according to the identification request, and wherein the identification reply comprises the identity information of the media renderers.
Expanding on the media server, it also responds to identification requests from the control point. The server sends an identification reply containing the identity information of media renderers.
19. A media renderer, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon; and a computer processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium and configured to execute the instructions to: receive a control command sent by a control point in a home area network, wherein the control command is used to instruct to request authentication with an authentication server; send an authentication request to the authentication server according to the control command, receive a token that is sent by the authentication server according to the authentication request, wherein the token comprises authentication status information; receive a uniform resource identifier, sent by the control point, of target media content, wherein the target media content is selected from a content list that is displayed to a user on a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section displays a first media content item and effective media renderers for the first media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the first media content item comprise a first portion of the media renderers that have an online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the first media content item, wherein the second section displays a second media content item and effective media renderers for the second media content item, wherein the effective media renderers for the second media content item comprise a second portion of the media renderers that have the online status and that have a capability and authorization to play the second media content item, and wherein the first portion of the media renderers and the second portion of the media renderers have different numbers of media renderers; acquire the target media content a media server according to the token and the uniform resource; and play the target media content.
A media renderer includes instructions to receive a control command to request authentication, and then sends an authentication request to the authentication server and receives a token with its authentication status. It receives the network location of target media content from the control point, the media being selected from a content list. The user interface at the control point is divided into sections, one displaying media items along with the effective media renderers that are online, capable and authorized to play each item. The number of effective renderers displayed varies between media items. Using the token, the renderer fetches the media from the server and plays it.
20. The media renderer according to claim 19 , wherein the computer processor is further configured to execute the instructions to: receive a status request that is sent by the control point and used to request an authentication status of the media renderer; and send authentication status information to the control point according to the status, so that the control point determines, according to the authentication status information, a media renderer authenticated by the authentication server, in the home area network.
Expanding on the media renderer, it responds to status requests from the control point by sending its authentication status, so that the control point can determine the authentication status of renderers.
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December 22, 2014
April 4, 2017
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